If you are looking for an opportunity to enhance your spiritual life on a retreat in a remote and calm environment, this three-week introductory course is for you! It provides an opportunity to learn about Vaishnava culture and philosophy. And by practising bhakti-yoga, you’ll meet many new devotees.
In this retreat, you will learn more about the bhakti-sastras, especially the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, deepen your knowledge of bhakti-yoga, and discuss philosophical topics. There will be ample time to experience simple living and high thinking with an emphasis on a balanced life and spiritual well-being.
Please join us!
Dates: February 1-20 2011
With great joy in our hearts we would like to announce the First Worldwide Kirtana Mela, to be held in a beautiful festival camp near Leipzig, Germany, from August 29 through September 4 this year.
We will have
After few days the situation remains critical, but fortunately many things have already been done.
Part of the area is now secured, especially by the help of the devotees of the Russian traveling Harinam group headed by Nimi Prabhu. They are in Italy for Harinam program in the main Italian cities. They arrived in Villa Vrindavana just one day after the disaster but after seeing the dramatical situation they immediately volunteered their help. We are very grateful to them and we'd like to thank them publicly for their exemplary vaisnava behavior!
You can find more up-to-date pictures on
www.villavrindavana.org/it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=663
Now they are preparing a cow shelter for the winter and we hope than in few days the cows could be transfered into it (now they are outside). We are in hurry because the weather forecast is announcing more snow.
You could kindly help us:
www.bhakti-sastri.com
Study Prabhupada's books online, guided by experienced teachers, in a virtual community of sincere devotees.
Four things you can expect:
- sadhu-sanga, a community of devotees encouraged to contribute to discussions and to "meet" during a weekly live chat;
- gaining knowledge through a structured and guided approach to studying Srila Prabhupada's books;
- reflections: exercises that help you assimilate and apply the knowledge;
- personal attention: responses from your teacher to your questions and discussions within two days.
What is expected of you:
The violent snowfall that happened in the Florence area on Friday, December 17 has not only paralyzed Villa Vrindavana but completely destroyed the tent-shelter where the cows were housed. From the photos attached you can realize the disaster. The good news is that thanks to the courage and determination of bhakta Roberto,Aravindha prabhu and Ekadasi prabhu, who worked in an extreme and dangerous situation, all the cows were rescued.
At the moment it has been set up a very temporary accommodation but it needs to be improved asap. A project to build the new barn was already under consideration and soon we would have launched a fundraising campaign, but now the situation has deteriorated and we need to accelerate the procedures.
You could help us go out of this emergency:
We are looking for a qualified chef (not cook) for our restaurant in Swansea, UK. We have a temple run restaurant which has been operating for 10 years in Swansea and are looking to increase the menu options so are looking for an extra chef.
The details of the positions are as follows:
Title : Chef
Pay : To be arranged dependant on qualification and experience.
Qualifications : Experience and knowledge of western vegetarian cooking as well as Indian required.
Duration : This can be a long term employment.
Notes : Applicants must be able to work legally in the UK as you will be paid through the standard procedures.
Please contact us by replying to ISKCON.Wales@pamho.net or by calling
00441792 468469 if you are interested to submit an application.
Thank you
Your servant Danda-krt dasa
Bhaktin Hilary, who made this video, said, "I made a short film that captures a taste of our college experience, so that other young Vaishnavis worldwide can be inspired to attend Bhaktivedanta College.
Hilary is nineteen and comes from Australia. Her previous studies were in filmmaking and theatre arts at the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries.
Camp: Traveling Sankirtan, Radhadesha
Yesterday Radhadesha had their second monthly sankirtan festival, aka. Sankirtan Saturday. As you all the know the weather was horrible, pouring rain and cold. But still 30 devotees participated. There devotees were not only from the Radhadesha Community, but included devotees from Antwerpen,
and Amsterdam. With a unified spirit they engaged themselves in sankirtan in Mastrict, and Luxemburg. 30 is a big increase from the previous months number of 17.
On 6th November His Holiness Bhakti Cari Swami and Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, the Attorney General for the British government opened the new farm complex, called New Gokul, at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Other dignitaries present included ISKCON author Rachor Prime, His Excellency Dr. Suresh Chandra Chalise the Ambassador of Nepal, Lord Dolar Popat, Joyce D’Silver from Compassion in World Farming and many others.
Praising Gokul farm for its excellence in the husbandry of cattle Mr Grieve said, “I am delighted to have been asked by Bhaktivedanta Manor to be here to commemorate the opening of the Gokul farm’s new facilities. These provide a sustainable sanctuary for cattle and a means whereby visitors can come and see for themselves the workings of a traditional farm where animals and nature are given the highest respect.”
Hailed as a blue-print for the future of farming, The Independent and the Daily Telegraph described the New Gokul project as being the “Hilton of all farms”.
The care received by the 44 cows and bulls is unparalleled . For example, relaxing music is played to the cows as they are hand-milked, and they are allowed to live their full natural life-span.
We would like to invite you to rejoice with us in our updated website www.blservices.com
Since couple of weeks we have launched the new upgrate as some of you have already noticed. We have been meditating on a new site for a very long time, and finally our meditation and long cherished desire brough wonderfull fruits. Its very beautiful, easy to navigate and with many features, which we didnt have before.
I am sorry to be the bearer of sad news: HH Purnacandra Gosvami has left this world on Thursday, November 4, 22:25 local Moscow time.
More information later....
"He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die
When thou art living still in sound!
The Vaishnavas die to live, and living try
To spread the holy name around!"
- Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Your servant,
Yugala-kisora dasa
Purnacandra Goswami's Bhagavad-gita
HH Purnacandra Maharaja is still in coma and it seems that there is not much that the doctors can do to get him out of it. He is on life support, but the doctors at this point are not talking about discontinuing with life support.
The problem in Moscow is getting the right information from the doctors because they are reluctant to speak about his predicament as Maharaja is an American citizen, without any 'legal' representative in Russia. The devotees (HH Niranjana Swami and now the devotees in Moscow), however, have managed to contact Maharaja's father who is willing to give the 'power of attorney' to a devotee in Moscow, and this will give his 'guardian' an opportunity and (most importantly) authority to speak with doctors and get more information about the chances for his recovery.
Doctors have checked his reflexes and it seems that Maharaja is responsive, which is a good sign. As to the chances for his full recover, we have to wait and see and, most importantly, depend on Lord's mercy.
Dear prabhus, matajis,
Radhadesh is a rural community of approximately 100 devotees in the forested hills of the Belgian Ardennes with a beautiful castle, gift shop, bakery, restaurant and a guesthouse with 16 rooms. Bhaktivedanta College, which offers people a bachelor degree in Vaishnava theology is situated across the road.
We are looking for help in our guesthouse:
- cleaning
- helping behind the reception 1-2 hours a day
- creating a welcoming atmosphere for our guests
- prepare our conference room for seminars
- if capable, do some minor repairs
We offer:
- an opportunity to stay in the wonderful surroundings of Radhadesh
- the possibility to follow bhakti-sastri or similar courses
- free food and lodgings
- basic necessities and pocket money
- time to go on harinam, book distribution (in coordination with the guesthouse manager)
Applicants should:
- follow the four regulative principles
Dear Vaisnavas, Dear Vaisnavis, Dear friends...
Please Accept my humble obeisances, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
It is our honour to re-invite everyone for a new edition of the Radhadesh Mellows Kirtan festival. On the weekend of January the 29th and 30th 2011, we will once again celebrate vibrantly over 24 hours of kirtan with hundreds of devotees. This year we will be joined again by H.G. Madhava Prabhu, Nadiya Mani devi dasi, Madhva das, Varun das, the Radhadesh-vasis, as well as many youth of our ISKCON movement. In addition to this wonderful news, we are very grateful to be able to receive for this new Radhadesh Mellows edition H.H. Sacinandana Swami (our kirtan guide for the weekend), H.G. Kripamoya Prabhu, Amala Purana from the 24h in Vrindavan, and many more great Kirtaniyas and devotees. It is my sincere request to all those who receive this email to try their best to attend this event. You may live in a neighbouring country of Belgium, a different continent than Europe, or even in Radhadesh... yet none of these factors should make you miss the event. For the sake of our Yuga Dharma Mission, please join us once again and help us spread the glories of the Holy Names.
The program is systematic which makes learning English easy, fun and natural. It was developed by Dr Edith Best (Urmila devi dasi) who has a PhD in education and 3 decades of experience. Instructions are so detailed and clear that even inexperienced teachers or parents can get great results. The “Talking” feature of the MagicPen allows children to touch the pages and then hear the stories in English, and various languages such as Hindi, Gujarati, Spanish, Russian, and Thai. This technology allows children to read with understanding and expression.
Learning and teaching sastra is one of the most important aspects of any Krishna conscious education. Srila Prabhupada's books form the foundation for ISKCON's activities and therefore ISKCON devotees hold the study of these books as essential to their spiritual growth. Bhakti Sastri study has become an essential anga of Krishna conscious life.
In order for ISKCON to offer excellent opportunities for devotees to study sastra qualified teachers are necessary. VTE, recognizing the need for these qualified teachers, established TTC1 and TTC2. These courses offer training in basic knowledge, skills and values required of an effective teacher.
Bhakti Sastri Teachers' training is specifically designed to further build on the learning of the previous two teachers' training courses with the aim of equipping teachers of VTE Bhakti Sastri courses with the specific skillset necessary for teaching sastra systematically.
The Bhakti Sastri Teachers' training course offers potential teachers training in lesson planning, analyzing the aims of sastric study, effective assessment as well as the practical details of organizing a bhakti sastri course.
ISKCONResolve just finished a very successful ombudsman training here in Boston. The North American GBC fully supported the program, they helped organize it, and they gather 11 participants, including five disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Brahma Tirtha Prabhu, a professor from MIT, one from Harvard, and yours truly were the presenters.
Service role available at ISKCON Wales, UK
****Note for Temple Presidents / Administrators****
Please post this e-mail on temple notice board or pass onto any interested party. Thank you.
We have a vacancy to be filled in our temple in Swansea, UK, and are inviting applications to fill this role. Please note this role is only available as service - we cannot give any wage for this position.
The details of the position are as follows:
Title : Pujari for Their Lordships Sri Sri Panca-tattva
Role Description : Perform worship to our temple deities. This will involve 3 main aratikas per day plus cooking for offerings to Deities etc. You will also be expected to participate in temple programs.
Pay : This role is only available on a voluntary basis. There will be no pay but the devotee will be able to stay at the temple asrama and all prasadam and clothing will be provided.
Contemporary Social Issues in ISKCON - September 20 - September 24, 2010.
ISKCON and Society - September 20 - September 29, 2010.
Bhakti Sastri 2010 - September 27 - December 23, 2010.
Introduction to Kavya - September 27 - October 1, 2010.
Conflict Management in Religious Organisations - October 4 - October 8, 2010.
History of ISKCON - September 27 - October 14, 2010.
Prabhupada Retreat: October 19 - October 21, 2010.
Modern and Post-modern Philosophy - October 26 - November 25, 2010.
Service Opportunity: Divisional Directors to the GBC Executive Director
Srila Prabhupada established the GBC to provide leadership and governance for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In turn, the GBC develops global policies and strategies to ensure that ISKCON moves smoothly and sustainably into the future.
Dear Vaishnavas,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We are profoundly saddened that in New Mayapur on Friday 23 July in the early morning hours (around 1:00 am) Citra mataji committed suicide by setting her body on fire.
Citra mataji joined ISKCON in Spain more than twenty years ago. For many years she has been serving Their Lordships at New Mayapur with great dedication and in a very devotional mood. Her life was very simple and centered around Krishna. She lived in a room in the castle and had no other aspirations than to serve the Lord with whatever means she had.
HG Aindra Prabhu attains the spiritual realm July 17, 2010
He reasons ill who says that Vaisnavas die,
When thou art living still in sound!
The Vaisnavas die to live, and living try
To spread the holy name around.
On Rama Navami, March 24, 2010, His Holiness Radhanath Swami
awarded sannyasa to HG Devamrita Prabhu.
There are four new ISKCON sannyasis this year:
Devamrita dasa: Bhakti Rasamrita Swami
Nitai Caitanya dasa: Nitai Caitanya Goswami
Makhanlal dasa: Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami
Siddharta dasa: Siddharta Swami
We wish them all success in their preaching and their new ashrama.
Your servant,
Prahladananda Swami
Please visit our website: www.worldholyname.com to download the latest posters, banners, stickers, and other goodies.
You can also upload reports, blogs, photos, videos, etc yourself directly to the site.
You can view the schedule online here:
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AS6kJ9ks75AAZGdkemJrenNfMWhwdzdwOGMy&hl=en
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This year the Bhaktivedanta College Bhakti Sastri course is scheduled to take a place from September 27 to December 23, 2010.
Introductory session: 27.09.2010.
Module 1
Bhagavad-gita 1-9: Jaya Bhadra Dasi, Braja Bihari Dasa and Yadunandana Swami (27.09.-24.10.2010.)
Exam Module 1: 24.10.2010.
Module 2
Nectar of Devotion: Sudevi Dasi (25.10.-07.11.2010.)
Nectar of Instruction: Mangala Candrika Dasi (08.11.-21.11.2010.)
Sri Isopanisad: Yadunandana Swami (22.11.-26.11.2010.)
Exam Module 2: 28.11.2010.
Module 3
Bhagavad-gita 10-18: Yadunandana Swami, Dinadayal Dasa (29.11.-19.12.2010.)
Exam Module 3: 22.12.2010.
Dear devotees, the summer is here and in 3 weeks we are starting our new Harinam tour „Festival of India through Adriatic sea - 7countries for 7th year“. The idea of the tour was born in 2004. and since then is continuously being performed every year. This will be seventh tour in a row.
With great pleasure we would like to invite all devotees to take part in our 6th Ratha Yatra festival in Rotterdam. Sri Jagannatha Ratha-Yatra will take place on Sunday 27th June 2010. The procession will begin at 1.00 pm at the Binnenrotte in Rotterdam Centre (near railway, metro and tramstation Blaak)
TBC Guildford
London's Ancient Festival of Chariots
When: Sunday 20th June 2010
Where: Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square
Time: Procession starts 12 noon from Hyde Park, South Carriage Drive Arrival Trafalgar Sq. 2.30pm
Festival ends 5.30pm
Highlight
London's 'Ratha-yatra' Festival of Chariots returns to the streets of the capital on Sunday 20th June 2010. London will be illuminated by the wonderful colours and sounds of the annual Hare Krishna festival, a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and spirituality in our city.
We are happy to inform you that our 8th year jubilee Ratha-yatra festival in Rijeka will be taking place on Sunday, 27th of June. The procession will proceed by the already established route: from the fountain on Jelachich trg (square) by way of whole Korzo to the fountain on Jadranski trg (in front of Erste Bank); and going back to Radio Rijeka on Korzo – to the location where we will have program on the stage.
This year from 07.August until 07.November 2010
A temple is a place of education, studying, where you can learn spiritual knowledge and practical skills, which can be an important basis for your future spiritual life.
We are honoured to inform you about the seminar Vedic Leadership and Management arranged by Bhaktivedanta college - ISKCON Finland.
Venue - ISKCON Helsinki
Time - 3.of july - 11.july
- review of the main topics of the first module;
- philosophical basis of administration based on catur-slokas of Srimad Bhagavatam
- duties of a leader and a manager
- overview of dharma sastra - what is human nature, human society and brahminical culture
- qualities required to effect in and be part of the varnashrama system
- science of qualities
- overview of artha sastra - the skills needed to be a leader and a manager
- sastric principles for punishment and reward
We am happy to inform you about the upcoming Japa Retreat being held in Villa Vrindavana, this coming July. I am also excited because this will be the first Japa Retreat in Italy.
The conference was attended by about thirty persons with participation from twelve different farming projects. Some of those present represented ISKCON projects and others were representing their own farm initiatives.
Day One.
Dear Devotees!
Sri Sri Radha Ramana, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and we, the devotees of the Italian Hare Krsna Village, are inviting you to come for the summer Sankirtan Festival on June 19-20!
Special guests will be coming..
- H.H. Bhakti Marga Swami
- H.H. Gopal Krsna Maharaja
- H.H. Jayadvaita Maharaja
- H.G. Bhima Prabhu
- H.G. Brahma Muhurta Prabhu
- H.G. Ekanath Prabhu
- H.G. Hanuman Prabhu
- H.G. Naresvara Prabhu
- H.G. Nitya Tripta d.d.
- H.G. Satyanarayana Prabhu
- H.G. Svavasa Prabhu
You will experience:
This year we have the great fortune to organized the first Ratha Yatra at the Canary Islands that will be held at Tenerife South, at the hearth of the tourist area know as the gold mile, Avenida de las Américas.
The event is organized by the Town Hall of Arona, the Indian Cultural Centre, The Indian Association of Tenerife South, Dharma Trust and Dharma Canarias representing ISKCON. We are expecting a minimum of 10.000 people attending the festival.
Which should you trust more - your head or your heart? This question was raised at the 2007 Great American Think-Off, a national philosophy contest that gives common people the chance to debate over some of life's more perplexing questions. The live audience in New York Mills selected as a winner an arts' administrator from Minneapolis, Joe Kaiser, who argued that in making decisions, one should trust the heart more than the head. On the one hand, heart's decisions come from our experience, intuitive feelings, and instinctive knowing without the use of rational processes. A decision that comes from the head, on the other hand, involves analytical thinking and methodical examination of things. Do these two modes of decision making automatically exclude each other?
Dear jewels and bee-like devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances!All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to the devotees who will come to Goranga Camp in Serbia:
- HH Sacinandana Maharaja (all the time)
- HH Jayapataka Maharaja (from 3d till 10th)
- HH Bir Krishna Maharaja (all the time)
- HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja (From 8th till 11th)
- HH Bhaktivaibhava Maharaja (If He is in Europe at that time)
- HG Krsna Ksetra Prabhu (all the time)
- HG Rohinisuta Prabhu (last 3-4 days including HIs Vyasa-puja celebration)
- HG Jay Gurudev Prabhu (all the time)and 450 devotees more
Dear devotees, Dear friends
Please accept our best wishes and heartfelt greetings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
It is with the greatest happiness that we invite you to our 'Bhakti Inspiration Retreat', which is based on the five most powerful processes of bhakti-yoga: chanting the Holy Names, hearing Srimad Bhagavatam, associating with devotees, worshiping the Deity, and living in a holy place like Mathura. This retreat will be held in New Vrajamandala, Spain, on 15th, 16th and 17th August, 2010.
Written by audarye
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Based on the request of many devotees, in July of 2010, Bhaktivedanta College will offer a summer camp for young devotees aged 14 to 21. Experienced guides will help the youth become accustomed to life in the spiritual community of Radhadesh and teach them music, art, spiritual aspects of life, and lots of recreational activities.
There will be plenty of cultural exchanges and lots of learning of new skills. Most camps offer fun, friendship, and memories, but what makes the Radhadesh Summer Camp unique is our commitment to offer children a pure devotional atmosphere, filled with opportunities to perform devotional activities. Participants will explore many aspects of spiritual life and learn how to integrate these into everyday life.
The camp is both a wonderful way to spend a holiday and an exciting opportunity to broaden skills, add experience to one's life, and develop friendships with peers from around the world. Participants will visit nearby cities in Europe with fellow campers and discover the wonders of nature in the Belgian Ardennes. Campers will return home spiritually enlivened and refreshed.
The Radhadesh Summer Camp offers young people an exceptional opportunity to make friends and a chance to grow in a favorable atmosphere of intercultural exchanges and devotional activities under the guidance of experienced teachers.